The Ultimate Guide to Star Wars Comics Reading Order
The world of Star Wars comics is vast and captivating, offering a multitude of stories that expand upon the beloved movie saga. To help you navigate this expansive universe, we present “The Ultimate Guide to Star Wars Comics Reading Order.”
Star Wars canon storyline has continued to be popular over the years, with fans eagerly consuming every piece of content related to their favorite space saga. There are many Star Wars Books to learn more about the ecosystem. The availability of Star Wars comics allows fans to delve deeper into the characters and events that shape this beloved universe in ways that movies cannot. If you’re new to Star Wars comics or a regular reader, this reading order will guide you through all the issues and crossovers, so you won’t miss any part of the epic story.
In this blog post, we will provide you with a step-by-step reading order for the Star Wars 2015 sequence. This sequence includes the “Star Wars,” “Darth Vader,” and “Doctor Aphra” series, as well as their crossover events. To have the best experience exploring the Star Wars universe in comics, follow this reading order. So grab your lightsaber and get ready for an exciting journey through a galaxy far, far away!
Why Read Star Wars Comics?
Before we dive into the reading order, let’s briefly discuss why Star Wars comics are worth your time. For starters, comics offer a visual storytelling experience that perfectly complements the Star Wars universe. They allow readers to immerse themselves in a galaxy far, far away in a unique way.
Additionally, Star Wars comics expand upon the movies and TV shows by delving deeper into the characters, events, and locations. They provide additional background and context to the stories we already know and love. Moreover, comics often introduce new characters and storylines that can become fan favorites.
Understanding The Sequence
One more thing before we begin, let’s make sure we know where this sequence fits in the Star Wars timeline. The Star Wars 2015 sequence takes place between “Episode IV: A New Hope” and “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.” This period is known for its pivotal moments in the original trilogy, making it an exciting time to explore through comics.
What sets the Star Wars 2015 sequence apart is its interconnectedness. The various comic series within this sequence are not standalone stories but rather intertwine with one another, creating a cohesive narrative experience. Every series shows different characters and adds to the main story. The interconnected storytelling makes each issue important and adds depth to Star Wars.
The Star Wars Comics Reading Order
Now that you have a grasp of where the Star Wars 2015 sequence fits in the timeline and the interconnected nature of its comics, let’s delve into the comprehensive reading order. This reading order will guide you through the individual issues and crossovers, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the storyline. So without further ado, here is the chronological reading order:
- Star Wars #1-3: These are the initial issues of the main “Star Wars” series. They set the stage for the story and introduce key characters.
- Darth Vader #1: This marks the beginning of the Darth Vader series, which focuses on the iconic Sith Lord’s journey during this time period.
- Star Wars #4: Here, this issue continues the main “Star Wars” series.
- Darth Vader #2-4: Progress through the Darth Vader series to see how Vader’s story unfolds alongside the events of the main series.
- Star Wars #5-6: Rejoin the “Star Wars” series and continue following the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and their allies.
- Darth Vader #5-6: Continue exploring Darth Vader’s perspective as his path intersects with that of our main heroes.
- Star Wars #7-12: Immerse yourself in this series of “Star Wars” issues, where conflicts escalate and new threats emerge.
- Darth Vader #7-12: Dive deeper into Vader’s journey as he faces challenges and uncovers secrets within the Empire.
- Star Wars: Annual #1: Engage with the narrative through this annual issue, which provides additional context and stories within this universe.
- Star Wars: Vader Down #1: Immerse yourself in this crossover event that brings together characters from both “Star Wars” and “Darth Vader.”
- Darth Vader #13: Continue following Vader’s story as he deals with the aftermath of “Vader Down.”
- Star Wars #13: Rejoin the “Star Wars” series and witness the repercussions of the crossover event on our main heroes.
- Darth Vader #14: Progress through the Darth Vader series and see how the events of “Vader Down” continue to impact his journey.
- Star Wars #14: Continue following the adventures of Luke, Leia, and the rest of the Rebel Alliance.
- Darth Vader #15: Immerse yourself in the continuation of Darth Vader’s story as he pursues his own agenda within the Empire.
- Star Wars #16-19: Engage with this series of “Star Wars” issues that delve into new missions and encounters for our heroes.
- Star Wars #15 then #20: Progress through the main series, as issue 20 takes place before issue 15 due to a storytelling choice.
- Experience the climax of the Darth Vader series in issues #16-25. Discover secrets and shape destinies.
- Star Wars #21-30: Continue following the adventures of Luke, Leia, and their companions in a new series of “Star Wars” issues.
- Star Wars: Annual 2: Engage with this second annual issue, which provides more stories set within this timeframe.
- Doctor Aphra #1-6: Enter the world of Doctor Aphra, an archaeologist with questionable morals who becomes a key player in this sequence.
- Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel #1: Immerse yourself in this crossover event featuring characters from both “Star Wars” and “Doctor Aphra.”
- Star Wars #31: Continue following the main “Star Wars” series as it explores new challenges for our beloved heroes.
- Doctor Aphra #7: Progress through the Doctor Aphra series, which offers a unique perspective on this universe through its morally ambiguous protagonist.
- Star Wars #32: Rejoin the main “Star Wars” series and witness the continuing struggles of the Rebel Alliance.
- Doctor Aphra #8: Immerse yourself in the further exploration of Doctor Aphra’s character and her ever-complicated relationships.
- Doctor Aphra: Annual #1: Engage with Doctor Aphra’s story through this annual issue, which expands upon her adventures and motivations.
- Doctor Aphra #9-13: Continue following the Doctor Aphra series as she gets embroiled in new schemes and dangerous encounters.
- Star Wars #33-37: Immerse yourself in this series of “Star Wars” issues that continue to expand the narrative universe.
- Star Wars: Annual #3: Engage with another annual issue that provides additional stories and perspectives within this sequence.
- Doctor Aphra #14-25: Explore the final issues of the Doctor Aphra series as it concludes its narrative arc within this sequence.
- Doctor Aphra: Annual #2: Immerse yourself in this annual issue that serves as a bookend to Doctor Aphra’s story within the Star Wars 2015 sequence.
- Doctor Aphra #26-31: Continue following the Doctor Aphra series as it sets up new storylines and character developments.
- Star Wars #38-43: Engage with the ongoing adventures of Luke, Leia, and their companions in this new set of “Star Wars” issues.
- Star Wars: The Storms of Crait #1: Immerse yourself in this standalone issue that expands upon the events of “The Last Jedi.”
- Star Wars #44-67: Continue following the main “Star Wars” series as it approaches its conclusion within this sequence.
- Doctor Aphra #32-36: Explore the final issues of the Doctor Aphra series as it ties up loose ends and offers satisfying character resolutions.
- Doctor Aphra: Annual #3: Engage with this concluding annual issue that provides one last glimpse into Doctor Aphra’s world.
- Target Vader #1-6: Immerse yourself in this epic miniseries that sees various factions targeting Darth Vader himself.
- Doctor Aphra #37-40: Continue following the Doctor Aphra series as it explores new territory and characters.
- Star Wars #68-75: Conclude the main “Star Wars” series within the Star Wars 2015 sequence.
Following the Characters
Throughout the Star Wars 2015 sequence, three main titles take center stage: “Star Wars,” “Darth Vader,” and “Doctor Aphra.” Each series offers a unique perspective on the events unfolding in this timeframe and contributes to the overall story arc.
The “Star Wars” series follows our beloved heroes, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and their companions, as they navigate the challenges of the Galactic Empire. This series allows readers to dive deeper into the thoughts and emotions of these iconic characters while providing additional context for their actions in the original trilogy.
On the other hand, the “Darth Vader” series focuses on the Sith Lord himself, exploring his personal journey and intricate relationship with Palpatine and other key figures within the Empire. This series sheds light on Vader’s motivations, struggles, and inner conflicts, offering readers a unique perspective on one of Star Wars’ most revered characters.
Finally, we have the “Doctor Aphra” series, which introduces a new character to the Star Wars universe. Doctor Aphra, an archaeologist with questionable morals, often ends up in dangerous situations in this series. Her unique point of view adds depth and complexity to this narrative, providing readers with fresh insights into this familiar universe.
To fully understand the story and characters, readers should follow these three main titles in order. As you progress through the series, you’ll witness how the events in each title intertwine and shape one another, creating a truly immersive and interconnected storytelling experience.
Crossover Events
As you go through the Star Wars 2015 sequence, you’ll encounter two important crossover events. They are the “Vader Down” and “The Screaming Citadel.”” These events bring together characters from different series and offer unique narrative opportunities for exploration.
“Vader Down” is a crossover event that takes place in the “Star Wars” and “Darth Vader” series. Darth Vader gets stuck on a planet after a mission goes wrong. The Rebel Alliance and the Empire fight over him. This crossover event provides thrilling action sequences and showcases the clash between Vader and our main heroes.
“The Screaming Citadel,” on the other hand, is a crossover event that occurs between the “Star Wars” and “Doctor Aphra” series. In this storyline, Doctor Aphra teams up with Luke Skywalker to infiltrate an eerie citadel that holds dark secrets. Crossover events explore the dynamics between Aphra and Luke while delving into themes of trust, manipulation, and supernatural forces.
Both of these crossover events enhance the overall reading experience by expanding the narrative universe and providing unique interactions between characters from different series. They also serve as pivotal moments within the sequence, advancing the storylines and offering new perspectives on familiar characters.
Transition to New Sequences
This guide has focused on the storyline set between “Episode IV: A New Hope” and “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back,” but it’s worth noting that a new sequence begins with the 2020 volumes of “Star Wars,” “Darth Vader,” “Doctor Aphra,” and “Bounty Hunters.”
These newer volumes of “Star Wars,” “Darth Vader,” “Doctor Aphra,” and “Bounty Hunters” mark the beginning of a new sequence set between “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.” They also provide fresh storylines, character developments, and new adventures that you won’t want to miss.
If you’re interested in exploring the comics beyond the Star Wars 2015 sequence, we recommend starting with the volumes released in 2020 and continuing to follow the exciting journeys of beloved characters.
Benefits of Following the Reading Order
Follow the reading order in this guide for a coherent and engaging experience with Star Wars comics. There are numerous benefits to following this reading order:
- The main characters in “Star Wars,” “Darth Vader,” and “Doctor Aphra” each have their own series. These series show how the characters change and face their own personal difficulties. You can see how they changed over time by following their stories in order.
- The story progresses by connecting different events, creating a complex and detailed sequence. Each series adds to the main plot, revealing secrets and surprises.
- Crossover events like “Vader Down” and “The Screaming Citadel” connect different series. Characters from different titles can interact and cross paths. When you read in order, you’ll understand the crossover events in the Star Wars universe better.
Obtaining the Comics
Now that you’re excited to embark on this thrilling Star Wars comics journey, you may be wondering how to obtain these essential issues. Fortunately, multiple options are available for comic enthusiasts:
- Visit your local comic book store to find the issues you want. Physical copies can add a tangible element to your reading experience.
- You can easily read digital versions of comics on platforms like Comixology and Amazon. These platforms let you access and read comics on your preferred devices.
- Subscription Services: Some subscription services offer access to a wide range of comics for a monthly fee, giving you unlimited access to read as many issues as you want.
You can buy Star Wars comics in both physical and digital formats. They are often sold at lower prices or grouped together in collections. This makes it easier and more affordable to start your own Star Wars comic collection.
It’s Time to Embark on Your Adventure in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
To sum up, this complete guide helps you navigate the 2015 Star Wars comic series. By following the chronological reading order for “Star Wars,” “Darth Vader,” “Doctor Aphra,” and their respective crossover events, you’ll enjoy a better reading experience that spans between “A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back.”
This guide will make Star Wars comics more enjoyable and give new insights into characters’ journeys.
Enjoy your journey through the Star Wars comics, and may the Force be with you!